Police closes case on Worldcoin in Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya – When the Kenyan High Court recently ordered Worldcoin to delete all biometric data collected from Kenyans, it was a landmark ruling for data justice — but also a sobering reminder of how vulnerable ordinary citizens remain in the digital age.

The case laid bare a dangerous reality: the exploitation of Kenyans’ personal data continues to thrive in a climate of limited awareness and weak digital rights literacy.

In 2023, Worldcoin — a crypto project co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman — swept across Nairobi with a promise of “free money for the future,” attracting thousands of Kenyans who queued for hours to have their irises scanned in exchange for a few shillings. Many did so without fully understanding what they were giving away: their most sensitive biometric data, a digital signature that cannot be changed, revoked, or reset.

While the global outcry eventually triggered investigations and legal intervention, one has to ask: Why did it take so long for heads to roll? The truth is stark — most Kenyans lack sufficient awareness of their digital rights, including what consent truly means, how data should be protected, and what recourse they have when their privacy is violated.

Digital Literacy

This gap in awareness is not accidental. It’s the result of years of neglect in digital literacy education, the slow implementation of Kenya’s Data Protection Act, and a disconnect between policy frameworks and public engagement. Even with a Data Protection Commissioner in place, enforcement has been inconsistent, and few citizens understand the scope of their rights under the law.

Yet the Worldcoin case is not an isolated incident. From intrusive mobile lending apps that mine contacts and messages, to data-driven political campaigns that micro-target users based on unethically acquired information, Kenya is witnessing a quiet digital invasion. And it is disproportionately affecting everyone, the youth, the elderly, the unemployed — who trade their data for access without fully grasping the implications.

Urgent Necessity 

In this context, sensitization is not a luxury. It is an urgent necessity. As digital platforms increasingly become the frontlines of economic, social, and political life, Kenyans must be equipped not only to participate — but to protect themselves. Civil society, the media, government institutions, and tech developers all have a role to play in demystifying digital rights and embedding data protection in our national consciousness.

Data is the new oil — but it’s also the new weapon. If left unchecked, data exploitation can reinforce inequality, enable surveillance, and undermine democracy. But with the right education, robust legal frameworks, and an engaged public, Kenya has the potential to become a leader in ethical tech governance on the continent.

It starts with awareness. And the time is now.

Related Article

The role of media literacy in countering misinformation in Kenya